Esther Street Beachfront Park Grand Opening

New Smyrna Beach soon will add another beachfront park to Volusia County’s list. City and County officials will cut the ceremonial ribbon on Esther Street Beachfront Park at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 20. The ceremony will be followed by a Family Fun Day from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the park at the east end of Esther Street in New Smyrna Beach.

“This park provides 45 spaces of off-beach parking just a few blocks north of one of Volusia County’s most popular beach ramps – Flagler Avenue,” said Tony Otte, New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) director. The project also includes a playground, walking trails, pavilions, restroom facilities and a volleyball area.

During the Family Fun Day portion of the grand opening, attendees will break in the new court with beach volley ball. Activities also will include a face painter, a street performer on stilts, surfing lessons, hotdogs, chips and drinks, according to Liz Yancey, City events manager.

All activities are free.

Construction on the Esther Street Beachfront Park and Stormwater Improvements Project began in August and included drainage improvements to reduce flooding in the North Atlantic Avenue area and milling and resurfacing of the roadway along North Atlantic Avenue from Flagler Avenue to Crawford Road, Otte said. The seawall was reconstructed and a dune walkover was built.

The total cost of construction is nearly $1.6 million and is funded jointly by the County of Volusia and the City of New Smyrna Beach through its CRA, the City’s stormwater fund, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Otte said.